RAPID CITY - University of Nebraska bowler Cassandra Leuthold, who is from Black Hawk, was recently named the 2007 NCAA Division I Rookie of the Year.

"I feel honored," the 2005 Rapid City Central graduate said. "It took a lot of hard work to get there. I was shocked that I got it, compared to the other girl, (Vanderbilt's) Josie Earnest. Her team won the NCAA national championship and she also got MVP, so it must have been a really tough decision to pick between us … I was like 'Wow, I'm floored.'"

Leuthold, who redshirted in 2006, was also named a second-team All-American.

She competed in all nine of the Cornhuskers' tournaments, ending up with a 203 average while recording four top-five finishes, including a pair of victories.

Leuthold won the Maverick Invitational in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 19 after a 202.6 average through 14 games. She also took the title at the Ozark Invitational in Springfield, Mo., on Jan. 21, when she averaged a collegiate career-high 230 over seven games.

She wrapped up the season by placing fifth at the NCAA Championships with a four-game average of 226.2.

"I set high expectations, but ones that are still obtainable," Leuthold said. "My goal for next year is to average about 210 on the college circuit. I'm shooting for Player of the Year and to win as many tournaments as possible, which is pretty much everyone else's goal. (But), I want to push to really be up there."

The chemical engineering major said she bowls between 18-20 hours per week, but is also on a cardio conditioning program.

"I like to push myself hard on the conditioning cycles," she noted. "So, in tournaments, I feel fine and I'm not worn out. Conditioning is very important to me."

Leuthold said she learned a lot during her redshirt season at Nebraska in 2006.

"I stayed here at Lincoln, went to school and trained," she said. "They worked my style up and changed a lot of my physical game. They made me fundamentally sound, so on the college circuit, I was able to perform at peak levels like they wanted me to."

Leuthold is currently in Lincoln training for the Junior Gold National Championships to be held this summer in Florida. She placed second at the tourney last season, earning her a spot on the 2006-07 Junior Team USA.

"My goal for the summer is to train for that and make (Junior Team USA) again so I can compete in the World Championships," Leuthold added.

Leuthold won the 2005 WIBC Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow award, which is given to the top high school bowler in the United States and Canada. She rolled two 300 games and a high series of 770 in high school. In addition, Leuthold was the North Dakota-South Dakota State Amateur Champion in 2003 and 2004.

Cassandra is the daughter of W.J. and Stephanie Leuthold.